The sad story of Elizabeth Jane Hardy who died at the Wilts County Mental Hospital in Devizes in 1934 and was buried there in error.
Exhumation of Swindon Woman
Re-Burial in Radnor Street Cemetery
The Late Mrs Hardy
Early on Friday morning, in the presence of about half-a-dozen people, the body of Mrs Elizabeth Jane Hardy, aged 82 of Swindon, was removed from the grave in the hillside cemetery at the Wilts County Mental Hospital at Devizes, where it has been for just over a month.
The exhumation, by request of the Home Secretary, Sir John Gilmour, who granted the order, was carried out “As quietly as possible,” and only three members of the public were present at the re-burial at the Radnor Street Cemetery, Swindon, an hour later.
Secret Proceedings
And so at last satisfaction has been secured in connection with the unfortunate mistake that led to Mrs Hardy being buried in the Mental Hospital grounds against the expressed wish and without the knowledge of her 82 year-old husband, Mr Samuel Hardy, of 4, Euclid Street, Swindon.
Not a single relative was afforded an opportunity of attending the first burial, or of sending a few flowers down to the hospital, and immediately he heard of what had taken place, Mr Hardy and other members of the family, who naturally, were greatly distressed, vowed that they would not rest until an exhumation order had been secured.
In order to avoid any kind of public demonstration, the proceedings on Friday morning were carried out with the utmost secrecy.
The exhumation order was issued on Monday through Mr A.E. Withy, who has been acting for Mr Hardy, and the Mental Hospital authorities were immediately notified. Last Thursday afternoon the arrangements for lifting the body were completed, and Mr F.N.W. Baker, son-in-law, accompanied by Mr D.S. Smith (son of Mr A.E. Smith, the undertaker) motored down to the hospital cemetery on Friday morning.
The grave had been opened by the time they arrived, and when the coffin was disinterred Mr Baker expressed a wish that the lid should be raised in order that he might identify the body. This was done.
Those present at the exhumation included Dr. J.W. Leech, acting medical superintendent of the hospital, Mr J. S. Deavin, Clerk, and the Rev. Dudley, hospital chaplain.
The Mourners
The elm coffin was then enclosed in a magnificent oaken shell, and brought in a hearse to Swindon.
Just after nine o’clock, following a short service conducted by the Rev. Bertram E. Woods, of the Methodist Central Mission, Swindon, the re-burial took place in the Radnor Street Cemetery, in the grave which was originally opened for the public funeral that had been arranged to take place on Tuesday, 3 April.
The mourners present were Mr Samuel Hardy, husband; Mrs F.N.W. Baker and Mr Baker, daughter and son-in-law; Miss Joan Baker, granddaughter; Mr and Mrs Walter Timbrell, niece and nephew; Mrs Butt, Mrs Tylee and Mrs Selby, nieces; Mr and Mrs F. Baker, and Mrs Trowbridge, friends.
Mr Hardy, in conversation with a North Wilts Herald reporter, said the members of the family were greatly relieved to know that their efforts had been successful, and they owed a great debt of gratitude to the many friends who had sympathised with them in this sad affair.
“We are particularly grateful to Sir Reginald Mitchell Banks,” added Mr Hardy. “When the appeal was made to him, he instantly responded, and despite the great call upon his time personally sought the Home Secretary in order to hasten forward the granting of a licence.”
North Wilts Herald, Friday, 11 May, 1934.
Elizabeth Jane Hardy was buried in grave plot D919 where her husband joined her when he died in 1937.
Radnor Street Cemetery 